HOME Rugby Drills Match Related

Rugby: Around The Clock Tackling

Sportplan rugby has played a large role in my team's love for the...

Heather, Rugby Coach

DESCRIPTION

Set up 5 cones around in a circle. The tackler works out from the first cone to make the tackle. The tackler then backtracks around the next and then comes forward to make the tackle again. Two tackles off the right shoulder, one front on and two off the left shoulder.

COACHING POINTS

Focus on the low tackling, players getting close to the ball carrier
Right foot close to the midline
Arms ready to punch through and make a ring of steel

READ MORE

READ LESS

OFTEN USED WITH...

Back To Back Pre Contact Wrestle:

*AUDIO DESCRIPTION ON*

Players sit back to back, arms interlocked and knees bent. The coach says left or right. The players must battle to pull their partner to the floor on the said side.

Contact Skills

Back To Back Turn & Chop Tackle:

Players stand back to back with coloured cones either side. When the coach shouts go both player run around their white cones. The coach shouts a colour and the ballc carrier runs towards that cone. If the attacker runs to the tacklers left hand side they must tackle with their left shoulder, if they run right they must tackle with their right shoulder.

Warm Up

1v1 Tackle Grid:

Small playing area, for 1 v 1 tackling.
Players line up in two lines adjacent to the coned area.
Coach shouts go and the front two players run round their end to end up facing each other.
The coach passes the ball to the attacker who runs at the defender, and the defender tries to take them down.

Tackling

2v2 Tackle and Clear Out:

2 on 2 tackling and clear out game.
Players line up in two lines, adjacent to the coned gameplay area.
The coach stands opposite the two lines with the ball and passes to the front player of either team.
The front two players of each team run round the back of their cones and the ball carrier takes the ball into contact.
The two secondary players then ruck over and attempt to clear each other out.
One team comes away with the ball.

Tackling

2403077

1009

SIGN UP NOW FOR FREE

search our library of 1100+ rugby drills
create professional rugby coaching plans
or access our tried and tested rugby plans

Rugby

STAY CONNECTED

in more ways than one

sportplan_netball

MORE Match Related DRILLS

/drills/ Rugby/ Match-Related /categoryDrills_21.jsp

JOIN SPORTPLAN FOR FREE

search our library of 1100+ rugby drills
create your own professional coaching plans
or access our tried and tested plans

Rugby

STAY CONNECTED

in more ways than one

sportplan_rugby

LATEST COACHING TRENDS

Pick and Go: Why Low-Volatility Rugby Is Dominating the 2026 Six Nations

The teams winning in 2026 aren't taking risks - they're grinding out territory with relentless pick-and-go phases. Here's how to coach it.

March 2026

Sportplan Coaching

Smart Mouthguards and Concussion Protocols: Coaching for Player Welfare

Player safety technology has arrived at every level of rugby. Here's what coaches need to know about smart mouthguards, concussion protocols, and training safely.

March 2026

Sportplan Coaching